Navy to replace frigate Ford with destroyer at Everett

Oct. 23, 2013 - 03:36PM
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EVERETT, WASH. — The Navy plans to decommission the frigate USS Ford at the end of the month and replace it next year with a destroyer at Naval Station Everett.

The Daily Herald reports itís part of long-range plans to have a total of five destroyers at the Puget Sound base by 2020. It currently has three frigates and two destroyers sharing the base with the aircraft carrier Nimitz.

Destroyers are bigger than frigates and perform more missions, such as supporting carrier strike groups.

The Ford is 28 years old and last deployed in 2011. Naval station spokeswoman Kristin Ching said its 131 crew member will be reassigned.

The carrier Nimitz has been deployed since the end of March and entered the Mediterranean on Sunday through the Suez Canal.